usvi-on-line
Trip reoprt Nov 25-Dec 9,Part 1 of ?
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Bill in Va
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:56 pm
- Location: Lake Gaston, Va
Trip reoprt Nov 25-Dec 9,Part 1 of ?
Well,well, well. Just look who is here. Some old timers some new.You are in trip report overload by now .Okay troops first everybody go to the john. Next get a beverage of your choice and turn off ALL cell phones....the show is about to start....
I need to tell the story. Lots of you guys know the story but some don't so please bear with me. Parts get tough but we are family. I really mean that.
How we found St John is the start. Our son our only child was a chef on St Thomas back in 1991. We wanted to be with him on his birthday on Dec 11th so we were going to fly him home when he said come down here. Ok done deal. He wanted us to stay on St John even though he lived and worked on St Thomas.I didn't know any better. I even called it St Johns. Hey I bet all of you did that at least once or twice. Booked a condo at Cruz Bay and air on Pan Am. Yep you guessed it. The day before we were to leave they went belly up. Heard it on the radio and went into my wife's office, we work togather, and told her. All she said was get us there no matter what. I called a client who was the manager of American Airlines at Dulles and we were set. Even got first class going down. Almost need another drink after that don't we?
Chuck had a special friend that he wanted us to meet, Lanie. We met them at Red Hook at his old boss's restaurant. The Fish Shack. Lanie was a looker I'm here to tell ya. The boy done good. We all took the ferry over to St John and settled in to the condo at Battery Hill. To this day I get the same feeling as I see Cruz Bay come into view. My soul smiles. The kids took us all over the island. Back then the road to Lameshure was dirt. What a rush. Passengers got out and the driver hit the gas. A thrill ride to be sure. How many remember it? Come on raise your hand.Even rented a boat and went to Sandy Cay and Jost. A fantastic first time trip,
Chuck and Lanie came back to Va about 6 months later. She was his fiance now. Stayed a year then moved to Oregon.
In July 1994 he had a seizure that turned out to be matastic malignant melonoma. We brought them home, cats and all. He died in his mother's arms two months later.........Before he went home to the Lord we asked him what he wanted to do. He was to old for make a wish and was a Greatful Dead Head. Made about 100 shows I think. He wanted to be back stage with the guys. I called a friend at the USATODAY and he gave me Dennis McNally, the manager of the Greatful Dead, contact number. I called and left a message. A day later the call came back from him. No problem when and where was the deal. Flew he and Lanie to the Detriot show between radiation treatments. Chuck got to be in Phil Lesh's dressing room playing guitar with him for two nights!
Chuck also wanted some of his ashes to go to Sandy Cay. We placed them there with a bougainvellia bush that Dec. Had to drag his 77 year old grandmother ashore on a pool raft. Lanie and her parents were with us. Stayed at a killer villa, Solaris. She was a younger villa back then. Since then we have been back with Lanie and her folks and a special guy named Bill who knew our son 5 times. Bill and Lanie were married in 2001. They were blessed with a son April 2005. Named his middle name after our son and asked if we would be honorary grand parents. It was hankie time on that phone call.
Last year on our 2005 trip with them and the baby and one set of grands it was decied to get the other set of grands, who had never been to St John, in the loop. We asked and they said yes. This was before we had left the island in 2005 by the way. The villa hunt was on. We know what that is don't we troops. You better raise your hand. We looked at a few and then it was time to head home. No decision. Had a maybe but trying to get 4 equal bedrooms is a tough job.
We have rented our cars through Bougainvellia Leasing a comapny of Donald and Debbie Schnell's, for many years. They also have about 6 rental homes they own. I called and asked what they had available. This was in Jan by the way. The subject of a beach villa had come up but as we know there are not a lot of them. Well Donald gave a deal we couldn't pass up for the villa "Beach Estate" on Great Cruz Bay. The web site is www.artisticvills.com .All in favor say Aye....all opposed none heard...the aye's have it. We will fast forward a little to get to the NOW time.
We made our air reservations in Feb when the rate dropped around $450. Yeah its a long time and yes they went down a little but at least we were locked in on both air and villa.
We have done the last minute deals in the past. Couldn't gamble with so many bodies involved. My hat is off to RickG and his gang of 24 deal.
Moving along. Go a head and pause the reading and go to the bathroom if needed. We'll wait right here for ya.
Even though we live about 35 minutes from Dulles Airport we stay the night before at the airport. Parking is $9 a day at the airport.We got a room at the Sheraton via priceline.com for $60 plus $13 in fees. It's cheaper than parking and they take you and pick you up and don't charge for parking. We up graded our seats with miles and got to use the Red Carpet Lounge as a bonus. Flight was at 8:15am. Had to take the 5:30 shuttle. Was through security in about 5 minutes and sitting in the lounge before 7am. Nice nibble stuff and coffee. The bar was even open. Flight and food on the flight were great. Landed 45 minutes a head of time. Thanks tail wind. Had to wait for the first timer set of grand parents coming from Phoenix via Charlotte. Their flight got in 30 minutes early. This allowed us to catch the 3pm Charlotte ferry but I missed meeting up with RickG for the official Va island handoff. TV cameras were every where........NOT. Had ya for about a nanosecond didn't I? Bill and Jennifer were the first timers. Its great to see the stuff through first timers. I guess we tend to over look things after a few visits. Dragging luggage across the street to the ferry and then having time to go back and get your first painkiller in the bar down the alley there. The boat trip was nice and smooth. Perfect start for them. Bill Jr, Lanie's husband, and Eric from Bougainvellia Leasing were waiting for us. Bill and Lanie and Calvin the golden child came in a day early. I went in to meet St John Ruth and what a sweetie she is. Met Ron her husband. A great couple and a great story on how they got here. Its in the archives. I asked Ruth to let the board know I came in early as a bunch were waiting on the web cam. Sorry. She did and we were off to sign some papers and then to the villa. Opened the door at the villa and Donald Schnell was going over all the features of the villa. Around the corner came Lanie and Calvin the honorary grand son. I picked him up and all was good in the world...a great start......more soon come...God bless..Bill
I need to tell the story. Lots of you guys know the story but some don't so please bear with me. Parts get tough but we are family. I really mean that.
How we found St John is the start. Our son our only child was a chef on St Thomas back in 1991. We wanted to be with him on his birthday on Dec 11th so we were going to fly him home when he said come down here. Ok done deal. He wanted us to stay on St John even though he lived and worked on St Thomas.I didn't know any better. I even called it St Johns. Hey I bet all of you did that at least once or twice. Booked a condo at Cruz Bay and air on Pan Am. Yep you guessed it. The day before we were to leave they went belly up. Heard it on the radio and went into my wife's office, we work togather, and told her. All she said was get us there no matter what. I called a client who was the manager of American Airlines at Dulles and we were set. Even got first class going down. Almost need another drink after that don't we?
Chuck had a special friend that he wanted us to meet, Lanie. We met them at Red Hook at his old boss's restaurant. The Fish Shack. Lanie was a looker I'm here to tell ya. The boy done good. We all took the ferry over to St John and settled in to the condo at Battery Hill. To this day I get the same feeling as I see Cruz Bay come into view. My soul smiles. The kids took us all over the island. Back then the road to Lameshure was dirt. What a rush. Passengers got out and the driver hit the gas. A thrill ride to be sure. How many remember it? Come on raise your hand.Even rented a boat and went to Sandy Cay and Jost. A fantastic first time trip,
Chuck and Lanie came back to Va about 6 months later. She was his fiance now. Stayed a year then moved to Oregon.
In July 1994 he had a seizure that turned out to be matastic malignant melonoma. We brought them home, cats and all. He died in his mother's arms two months later.........Before he went home to the Lord we asked him what he wanted to do. He was to old for make a wish and was a Greatful Dead Head. Made about 100 shows I think. He wanted to be back stage with the guys. I called a friend at the USATODAY and he gave me Dennis McNally, the manager of the Greatful Dead, contact number. I called and left a message. A day later the call came back from him. No problem when and where was the deal. Flew he and Lanie to the Detriot show between radiation treatments. Chuck got to be in Phil Lesh's dressing room playing guitar with him for two nights!
Chuck also wanted some of his ashes to go to Sandy Cay. We placed them there with a bougainvellia bush that Dec. Had to drag his 77 year old grandmother ashore on a pool raft. Lanie and her parents were with us. Stayed at a killer villa, Solaris. She was a younger villa back then. Since then we have been back with Lanie and her folks and a special guy named Bill who knew our son 5 times. Bill and Lanie were married in 2001. They were blessed with a son April 2005. Named his middle name after our son and asked if we would be honorary grand parents. It was hankie time on that phone call.
Last year on our 2005 trip with them and the baby and one set of grands it was decied to get the other set of grands, who had never been to St John, in the loop. We asked and they said yes. This was before we had left the island in 2005 by the way. The villa hunt was on. We know what that is don't we troops. You better raise your hand. We looked at a few and then it was time to head home. No decision. Had a maybe but trying to get 4 equal bedrooms is a tough job.
We have rented our cars through Bougainvellia Leasing a comapny of Donald and Debbie Schnell's, for many years. They also have about 6 rental homes they own. I called and asked what they had available. This was in Jan by the way. The subject of a beach villa had come up but as we know there are not a lot of them. Well Donald gave a deal we couldn't pass up for the villa "Beach Estate" on Great Cruz Bay. The web site is www.artisticvills.com .All in favor say Aye....all opposed none heard...the aye's have it. We will fast forward a little to get to the NOW time.
We made our air reservations in Feb when the rate dropped around $450. Yeah its a long time and yes they went down a little but at least we were locked in on both air and villa.
We have done the last minute deals in the past. Couldn't gamble with so many bodies involved. My hat is off to RickG and his gang of 24 deal.
Moving along. Go a head and pause the reading and go to the bathroom if needed. We'll wait right here for ya.
Even though we live about 35 minutes from Dulles Airport we stay the night before at the airport. Parking is $9 a day at the airport.We got a room at the Sheraton via priceline.com for $60 plus $13 in fees. It's cheaper than parking and they take you and pick you up and don't charge for parking. We up graded our seats with miles and got to use the Red Carpet Lounge as a bonus. Flight was at 8:15am. Had to take the 5:30 shuttle. Was through security in about 5 minutes and sitting in the lounge before 7am. Nice nibble stuff and coffee. The bar was even open. Flight and food on the flight were great. Landed 45 minutes a head of time. Thanks tail wind. Had to wait for the first timer set of grand parents coming from Phoenix via Charlotte. Their flight got in 30 minutes early. This allowed us to catch the 3pm Charlotte ferry but I missed meeting up with RickG for the official Va island handoff. TV cameras were every where........NOT. Had ya for about a nanosecond didn't I? Bill and Jennifer were the first timers. Its great to see the stuff through first timers. I guess we tend to over look things after a few visits. Dragging luggage across the street to the ferry and then having time to go back and get your first painkiller in the bar down the alley there. The boat trip was nice and smooth. Perfect start for them. Bill Jr, Lanie's husband, and Eric from Bougainvellia Leasing were waiting for us. Bill and Lanie and Calvin the golden child came in a day early. I went in to meet St John Ruth and what a sweetie she is. Met Ron her husband. A great couple and a great story on how they got here. Its in the archives. I asked Ruth to let the board know I came in early as a bunch were waiting on the web cam. Sorry. She did and we were off to sign some papers and then to the villa. Opened the door at the villa and Donald Schnell was going over all the features of the villa. Around the corner came Lanie and Calvin the honorary grand son. I picked him up and all was good in the world...a great start......more soon come...God bless..Bill
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
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wontongirl
- Posts: 518
- Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:19 pm
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
Ain't NO way my trip report can compare to your & Scott's!!! 
Bill I have read your story before and it still brings a tear to my eye. I think it is wonderful that you have kept such stong bonds with Lanie and now have an honorary grandson too. I am really looking forward to reading about this year's adventures.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Bill - thank you again for reminding us of your beautiful, bitter-sweet story. I volunteer for Make A Wish and I think your son's homemade wish sounds just perfect. I feel for you as I read, but know that there is some peace for you and all who loved your son.
God Bless -
Tracy
God Bless -
Tracy
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
trip report
Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed your report! It is a touching story. I am so sorry for your loss.